New Wyoming Supercomputer Aids Climate Research in Top Coal State

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A new supercomputer in Wyoming is carrying on modeling the effects of climate change, but scientists worry President Donald Trump could cut funding for such programs.

The $30 million National Center for Atmospheric Research supercomputer named Cheyenne got to work on several science projects a few weeks ago. They include figuring out how to better predict weather months to years in advance.

Wyoming produces close to 40 percent of the nation's coal, and the state's many climate-change skeptics include Gov. Matt Mead. Still, Mead supports the supercomputer for helping to promote Wyoming's small technology industry.

Whether Trump might cut federal funding for such programs remains to be seen. Some 800 U.S. scientists recently signed a letter urging Trump to take climate change seriously.